Dynamic design, excellent connectivity, class-leading interior space, generous specification, high safety standards
Following its global debut almost exactly one year ago in Geneva, new international car brand, Qoros, presents the world premiere of its second series production car, the new Qoros 3 Hatch, at the 2014 Geneva International Motor Show. Destined for China market launch in the middle of 2014, the Qoros 3 Hatch will appeal to trendy, active and independent individuals.
The design of the Hatch is inspired by contemporary European automotive styling themes, and a subtle evolution of the distinctive signature Qoros design cues result in a dynamic, youthful appearance. A long wheelbase, short overhangs and a coupé-like silhouette means that the new 4.4-metre long hatchback combines class-leading interior space with a large tailgate and boot for load-carrying versatility.
The Hatch offers four trim specifications at launch – Essence, Experience, Experience Plus and Elegance – with generous equipment levels and features across the range that are not normally available on compact segment cars. For example, the brand’s innovative eight-inch capacitive touchscreen infotainment system, Qoros MMH™ (Multi Media Hub), and its pioneering QorosQloud™ connected services platform are both included as standard on all variants.
Developed by an international team of experienced specialists and new, young automotive talent from China, the Qoros 3 Hatch exhibits the top quality engineering and safety standards with which Qoros is making a truly global impression.
Based on the same innovative modular platform as the Qoros 3 Sedan, the Hatch features new C-pillars, roof, rear side panels, and tailgate, plus a new rear roof cross-member for exceptional torsional rigidity. It is built using the same high-strength steels and structural design that resulted in the Sedan being ranked by Euro NCAP as the ‘safest car’ of 2013.
The Hatch also shares with the Sedan its highly-efficient four-cylinder 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated and turbocharged engines combined with either six-speed manual or six-speed DCT (dual-clutch automatic) transmissions.
The Qoros 3 Hatch will be manufactured in the brand’s all-new, highly-efficient and environmentally-sustainable assembly plant in Changshu, 80km north-west of Shanghai, on the same production line as the Qoros 3 Sedan.
Dynamic, youthful design with clear Qoros DNA
The signature Qoros design language is based on enduring elegance and simplicity, clear character lines and muscular shapes and surfaces. It draws on contemporary European automotive design themes and will feature across all models in the brand’s growing line-up.
The Hatch is aimed at a distinct audience segment: trendy, active and independent individuals that are proud to stand out from the crowd and make a bold statement about their unique tastes and preferences.
Like the Sedan, the design of the Hatch was undertaken by the Qoros design teams in Munich and Shanghai under the direction of Executive Director of Design, Gert Volker Hildebrand.
For the compact class, the Qoros 3 Hatch features a comparatively long wheelbase (2,690mm) and generous width (1,839mm), but a short rear overhang (806mm) and exterior styling gives the newcomer a ‘wedge-shape’ ready-to-go look – appearing to lower the nose and raise the tail.
At the front, the deep split-frame radiator grille – which features the signature Qoros mesh – maximises the impact of the car’s face. The lower air intakes rise at an accentuated angle to the flanks, giving the face a more muscular ‘bite’ and the round fog lights are set into boldly-contoured recesses that wrap around the bumper. These stylistic details provide energy and poise.
The headlamps feature distinctive LED daytime running lights positioned as horizontal bars along the top edge. Top-of-the-range Elegance models feature Xenon headlamps with automatic height adjustment, headlamp washers, and adaptive cornering technology that provides a wider view when taking corners, greatly improving safety at road intersections and in low-light conditions. The Qoros 3 Hatch also features wing mirrors with integrated LED turn indicator lamps.
The athletic look of the Hatch’s profile is accomplished by the subtly flared wheel arches, chrome belt-line trim beneath the side windows, and two-part, two-colour roof spoiler. The body-colour section of the roof spoiler aligns with the door shut lines and rear bumper shut line, while the extended black section delivers drag-reduction benefits to the new model’s aerodynamics.
The rear passenger door windows of the Hatch feature a ‘hockey-stick’ trailing line that extends into the C-pillar to allow easier access for occupants into the rear seats.
At the back, the small rear lamp clusters are precision engineered with light guides that wrap around the rear corners of the car creating a distinctive, high quality appearance. They exhibit clear Qoros DNA, while helping to mark out the newcomer as a compact, agile hatchback. The lamp clusters are positioned high up on the rear flanks, as is the horizontal chrome trim bar across the tailgate, which contributes to the eager, forward-leaning wedge profile.
Comprehensive equipment and class-leading space
Qoros is determined that its high quality products will meet the needs and expectations of modern metropolitan consumers who demand generous features and infotainment, and who also welcome a range of options to individually configure their vehicle.
The Hatch’s cabin is dominated by a clean, horizontal design theme that emphasises the length and width of the cabin. The steering wheel, which features a flat lower edge for easier driver access, sits in front of a ‘floating’ instrument panel and centre console that maximises the feeling of interior spaciousness.
When launched in China in the middle of 2014, the Qoros 3 Hatch will offer four trim specifications – Essence, Experience, Experience Plus and Elegance – with rising levels of standard equipment. Interior upholstery will be available in two colours – Lava Black and Sand Beige – in either high-grade ‘Classic’ cloth fabric, ‘Stylish’ fabric-leatherette blend, or leather – each featuring patterns and piping trim combinations that are all-new for the Hatch.
Standard features on all versions of the Qoros 3 Hatch will include the brand’s innovative Qoros MMH™ (Multi Media Hub) system (see next section), advanced QorosQloud™ 3G connected services with enhanced navigation and networking (see next section), Bluetooth® for handsfree calling and wireless music streaming, all-round electric windows and electric exterior mirrors. At the centre of the instrument cluster, a high-resolution 3.5-inch TFT colour display provides crucial information to the driver, including remaining fuel range and next-turn directions from the navigation system.
Entry-level Essence models will also feature keyless go, air-conditioning, dual rear ventilation outlets, a four-speaker 100-watt audio system and an anti-theft alarm and immobiliser system.
Moving up the range, the Experience specification adds two-zone automatic air-conditioning – allowing the driver and front passenger to select their own preferred temperature settings – and ‘Stylish’ fabric-leatherette blend upholstery. ‘Dusk-sensing’ headlights, heated door mirrors, and rear parking camera and sensors provide added safety and assistance to the driver. A 150-watt six-speaker system delivers high grade audio entertainment, and rear seat cupholders offer rear passengers extra convenience. Experience Plus models also feature one-touch glass sunroof to provide an even lighter, airier cabin.
Top-of-the-range Elegance models will be equipped with cruise control, heated and powered front seats with two-setting memory, keyless entry and keyless go, automatic folding wing mirrors and ultrasonic anti-theft protection.
The flagship is also fitted with full cabin ambient lighting, aiding the realisation of Qoros’ strategy to deliver a level of quality and specification more often associated with cars positioned well above the compact class. The combination of thin red LED light strips along each edge of the central console and discreet red LED lighting in the door handles creates a warm, welcoming interior ambience.
Eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system as standard
In the car, QorosQloud is accessed through the innovative Qoros MMH system that is fitted as standard to every Qoros 3 Hatch, just as it is standard across the Sedan line-up. The eight-inch capacitive touchscreen boasts a resolution of 800 x 600 pixels.
Qoros MMH is one of the first touchscreen infotainment systems in the world to be specifically designed to maximise the opportunities and capabilities of multi-touch gestures.
Two powerful, efficient engines and two six-speed transmissions
The new Qoros 3 Hatch will be available from launch with two powerful, efficient four-cylinder gasoline engines which it shares with the Sedan. Developed by Qoros engineers in collaboration with leading powertrain engineering specialist, AVL, these DOHC (dual overhead camshaft) 1.6-litre 16-valve power units are both fitted with VVT (variable valve timing) to optimise performance and efficiency.
The naturally-aspirated unit, with VIS (variable induction system), delivers an output of 93 kW (126 bhp) and maximum torque of 155 Nm at 3,900 rpm. This engine is paired with the six-speed manual transmission in the Essence entry-level model, accelerating from zero to 100 km/h in 11.6 seconds.
European standards of ride and handling
The vehicle dynamics of the new Qoros 3 Hatch have been engineered to fully exploit the car’s wide track and long wheelbase, while also being tailored to deliver driving characteristics to rival those of cars developed by leading European brands. Like the Sedan, the Hatch’s suspension features MacPherson struts at the front and an OMEGA-shaped twist beam at the rear to provide an ideal balance of responsive handling and a compliant ride. Electronic power assistance is provided for the rack-and-pinion steering which delivers precise direction changes while also providing direct feedback to the driver from the road.
Stopping power is provided by 305mm ventilated disc brakes at the front and 285mm solid disc brakes at the rear. Braking performance and stability are enhanced by anti-lock braking (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC) systems developed in conjunction with TRW specifically for the Qoros 3 family.
The 16-inch alloy wheels (standard fit on Essence and Experience models) are wrapped in 205/60 tyres, and the 17-inch alloy wheels on Experience Plus models will be fitted with 215/50 tyres. The 18-inch diameter alloy wheels of the Elegance model will be fitted with 225/45 tyres.
Five-star safety standards
The new Qoros 3 Hatch incorporates the same Qoros Crash Management System philosophy as the Qoros 3 Sedan. As a result, it promises to be one of the safest cars in its class as it incorporates all the structural, passive and active safety features first introduced on its sibling, which was ranked the ‘safest car’ of 2013 by Euro NCAP, the toughest new car assessment programme in the world.
To maintain the same strength and stiffness achieved by the Sedan, the new Qoros 3 Hatch incorporates a ‘torsion ring’ around the tailgate opening with an additional crossmember in the roof connecting the C-pillars.
From launch, the Hatch will be fitted with a comprehensive suite of standard ‘passive’ safety equipment (designed to keep occupants safe during an accident) which includes front driver and passenger airbags, side and full length curtain airbags (depending on model), three-point automatic seat belts on all seats and dual belt tensioners for the driver and front passenger. The front seat head restraints are designed to reduce whiplash injuries in a rear-end collision.
Additional standard safety equipment on all Qoros 3 Hatch models will include: ABS (anti-lock braking system), EBD (electronic brake distribution), a seat belt reminder for the driver (and front and rear passengers on Elegance models), and a driver-set speed limiting device. All models also benefit from ISOFIX child seat mountings with top tethers on the right and left rear seats.